Angle measuring device and guide

ABSTRACT

A measuring device is provided for carpenters, roofers and other tradesmen. The device is made of relatively lightweight plastic and has a variety of uses. The elongated base is rectangular in cross-section and includes a scale for measuring distances along one side. Pivotally affixed to the base is a level which can be locked against a protractor (also affixed to the base) at any angle between zero and ninety degrees (0°-90°). Roof pitches, gradients and other angles can be determined or set in a simple, easy to learn manner. In addition, a guide is provided which can be releasably attached to the measuring device for use in combination therewith for precise repeated markings on lumber pieces or boards for forming stair stringers and the like.

[0001] This is a continuation-in-part of and claims benefits underpending patent application Ser. No. 10/427,002 filed 01 May 2003, nowU.S. Pat. No. ______.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The invention herein pertains to a measuring device for use bycarpenters and other tradesmen for measuring and setting angles andpitches and for marking cutting patterns.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART AND OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Tools and devices in recent years have greatly increased incomplexity and price. Tools which have multiple purposes are becomingincreasingly popular since a tradesman can more easily purchase andtransport a single tool instead of two or three tools each having asingle purpose. However, many multipurpose tools available today arebulky and inconvenient to handle. Some multipurpose tools provideseveral particular uses, but certain of these uses are very rarelyneeded, making them relatively expensive and providing littleconvenience. The measuring device can also be used in combination with aguide which is releasably attached thereto. The guide provides astraight edge for consistent pattern marking when a series of uniformcuts are required such as when making a stair stringer. Thus, in view ofthe problems and disadvantages of conventional multipurpose measuringdevices and tools, the present invention was conceived and one of itsobjectives is to provide a measuring device which is compact and willfulfill a variety of measuring requirements for a carpenter or othertradesmen.

[0004] It is still another objective of the present invention to providea multipurpose measuring device which allows the user accuracy andflexibility in measuring angles and linear measurements.

[0005] It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide amanual measuring device which includes a level in combination with aprotractor to measure or set pitches, gradients and the like.

[0006] It is still another objective of the present invention to providea measuring device which will act as a square for ninety degree (90°)measurements or markings.

[0007] It is also another objective of the present invention to providea measuring device which can be accurately pivoted and locked at anyangle between zero and ninety degrees (0°-90°).

[0008] It is still another objective of the present invention to providea guide which can be attached to and used in combination with themeasuring device such as when a series of identical angle markings areneeded.

[0009] It is also an objective of the present invention to provide amethod for forming a series of angle cuts such as required in making astair stringer.

[0010] It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide ameasuring device guide which includes a pair of parallel longitudinalmembers which are resiliently attached at each end for clamping a presetmeasuring device.

[0011] Various other objectives and advantages of the present inventionwill become apparent to those skilled in the art as a more detaileddescription is set forth below.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The invention herein pertains to a measuring device, namely amultipurpose hand tool having a base pivotally affixed to a level. Thelevel includes a rearward slot, proximate its pivot point for containinga protractor whereby the level and base can be pivotally adjustedaccurately to any variety of degrees from zero to ninety (0-90) andlocked thereat. When the level is pivoted to a ninety degree (90°)angle, the measuring device can be used as a carpenter's square or forother purposes. Uses of the measuring device also include, but are notlimited to measuring the pitch of a roof, the grade of a road bed orother surfaces. In addition, a ruler along one side of the base allowsthe user to take measurements as needed. The preferred length of thebase of the measuring device is 15 and {fraction (31/32)} inches, thusallowing the tool to be used in setting wall or deck studs on 16 inchcenters by providing approximately {fraction (1/32)} inch in width forapplying a pencil mark.

[0013] In the measurement of a particular angle, the level is pivotedfrom the base, the angle is selected and a threaded locking memberallows the base and level to be quickly locked in place. A scale on theprotractor permits the desired angle to be measured. When closed, alocking tab on the front of the level engages a catch on the base tomaintain the measuring device securely closed. Upon opening or pivotingthe level, a storage compartment in the base is exposed for containingpencils or other small items for convenient storage.

[0014] A releasable guide is also included which can be adjustablyplaced on the measuring device. The guide includes a pair of spacedparallel tubular members which are joined at each end by a threadedmember which passes through an over sized opening in the longitudinalmembers. A coiled spring surrounds each threaded member between thelongitudinal member and provides resiliency thereto. A knurled nut oneach threaded member allows for easy grasping and use. The guide is usedin combination with the measuring device by placing it over thepre-opened measuring device and tightening it thereon by turning theknurled nuts. Once in place the combination measuring device and guidecan be placed on a wooden board or piece by placing a tubular member ofthe guide against the edge of the wooden piece as the measuring devicerests atop the wooden piece. A pencil or other tool can then be used tomark along the outside of the measuring device to make a pattern, suchas a “v” for use as a cutting mark. The combination tool can then bemoved along the wooden piece and the “v” pattern repeated as needed.This method enables the user to produce uniform and precise measurementmarkings for cutting purposes such as required in making a stairstringer or other building component.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015]FIG. 1 shows a left side perspective view of the measuring deviceof the invention with the level open approximately 45° from the base;

[0016]FIG. 2 illustrates the right side of the measuring device as shownin FIG. 1 with the level closed onto the base;

[0017]FIG. 3 demonstrates a left side view of the measuring device in aclosed posture;

[0018]FIG. 4 features the measuring device in diminished form openninety degrees (90°);

[0019]FIG. 5 pictures a front end view of the measuring device closedwith the tab affixed on the catch;

[0020]FIG. 6 shows a rear elevational view of the measuring device asshown in FIG. 5;

[0021]FIG. 7 illustrates a top plan view of the measuring device as seenin FIG. 2;

[0022]FIG. 8 depicts a bottom plan view of the measuring device as shownin FIG. 7;

[0023]FIG. 9 demonstrates a top view of the base as seen along lines 9-9of FIG. 4; and

[0024]FIG. 10 shows a top, rear, right end perspective view of the guideapart from the measuring device;

[0025]FIG. 11 demonstrates the bottom of the guide;

[0026]FIG. 12 illustrates a front view of the guide;

[0027]FIG. 13 features a top view of the guide as mounted on a measuringdevice;

[0028]FIG. 14 pictures the guide used with a measuring device to mark awooden “2×10”;

[0029]FIG. 15 shows an enlarged view of the guide and measuring deviceas seen along lines 15-15 of FIG. 14; and

[0030]FIG. 16 demonstrates the stair stringer as formed by the processshown in FIG. 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT AND OPERATION OF THEINVENTION

[0031] For a better understanding of the invention and its operation,turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 demonstrates preferred measuringdevice 10 seen in perspective fashion having base 11, level 12 andprotractor 13. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 7, slot 24 is defined bylevel 12 to accommodate protractor 13. Protractor 13 is rigidly mountedwithin base 11 such as by pins, frictionally fitting therein or withconventional glues or adhesives. Level 12 is also mounted to base 11 byhinge 15. Window 16 within level 12 is preferably formed from atransparent rigid plastic material such as a clear polycarbonate orpolyacrylate and is affixed to level 12 as seen in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4.Window 16 includes aperture 17 through which threaded locking member 18is positioned. Locking member 18 passes through window aperture 17 ofwindow 16 and slot 19 of protractor 13 whereby, effectively bolt nut 14,as seen in FIG. 2, is used to tighten threaded member 18 in place.Locking member 18 can be manually tightened to lock level 12 in anynumber of positions along scale 30 having line gradients 31, relative tobase 11.

[0032] Level 12 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, contains two (2) levelelements 22. Level elements 22 are conventional, rectangular and encloselevel tubes 23 which are filled with a liquid having a movable airbubble for level measuring purposes as is standard. In FIG. 3, one levelelement 22 provides vertical level tube 23 and the other level element22 provides a horizontal level tube 23′ as with conventional levels.Thus by pivoting level 12 relative to base 11 through hinge 15 and withuse of protractor 13, level 12 can be used as an angle or gradientfinder to locate the pitch of a roof, or as a square with level 12perpendicularly aligned to base 11 as seen in FIG. 4. Hence, measuringdevice 10 can be used by carpenters, roofers, masons and other tradesmenfor a variety of needs.

[0033] As would be understood, level 12 can be locked to any desiredpitch or gradient by manually tightening locking member 18. Similarly,by using scale 30 on protractor 13 any such pitch, gradient or the likecan be relatively determined.

[0034] When used in a closed fashion as shown in FIG. 3, measuringdevice 10 can be used like a ruler for spacing wall or other studs oncenters during construction phases. As shown in FIG. 3, measuring device10 has a base with indicia 37 printed or molded thereon in the form of aconventional ruler. Base 11 in the preferred embodiment is exactly 15and {fraction (31/32)} inches in length for marking the position ofbuilding studs set on 16 inch centers. The {fraction (1/32)} inchdifference being allowed for a pencil mark on the wood or buildingmaterial used.

[0035] To open measuring device 10 for measuring angles or the like, tab34 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 is pressed or flexed outwardly by a thumbor finger in the longitudinal direction of base 11 to thereby freelocking tab 34 from catch 35 on base 11 as shown in FIG. 1.

[0036] As further shown in FIGS. 1 and 9, storage compartment 40 iscontained in base 11 and is sized to accommodate pencils or other smallitems. Storage compartment 40 includes pencil brackets 41 which willengage the shaft of a conventional wooden pencil to secure it in placefor convenient access.

[0037] Preferred guide 50 is shown in FIG. 10 and includes toplongitudinal member 51 and bottom longitudinal member 52 each having endcaps 53. Longitudinal members 51 and 52 are preferably formed fromtubular aluminum having a square cross-section. End caps 53 arepreferably formed from plastic. Threaded members 55 act as a means toadjustably connect longitudinal members 51 and 52. Threaded members 55have heads 57 as seen in FIGS. 12 and 13 and pass through over sized(larger than the diameter of the threaded member) apertures inlongitudinal members 51 and 52 at the ends thereof and are tightened inplace by knurled nuts 56 as shown in FIGS. 10, 11 and 12. Heads 57 areslotted for reception of a screw driver or other tool. As also seen inFIGS. 10 and 12, resilient members 58, each of which consists of a coilspring, are positioned over threaded members 55 between longitudinalmembers 51 and 52 and provide resiliency thereto.

[0038] In FIG. 13, guide 50 is shown in typical mounting posture onmeasuring device 80. As would be understood, guide 50 can be used onother types of measuring devices other than measuring device 80 shownherein. Measuring device 80 is almost identical to measuring device 10but includes two (2) indicator marks 81, one on each side of level 83(only one shown in FIG. 13) which are placed exactly 12″ (30.48 cm) frombottom 82 of base 84 when level 83 is opened to a 90° angle with base 84as seen in FIG. 13. Mark 81 provides a convenient point for aligningguide 50, such as when a 45° cut is needed. By placing guide 50 justunder the 12″ mark on base 84 and just under mark 81, a 45° angle isformed by measuring device 80. Protractor 90 as seen in FIG. 17 isattached to base 84 by two (2) metal pins 89 driven through andfrictionally held within two (2) holes provided in base 84 andprotractor 90.

[0039] Hinge 85 is also seen in FIG. 17. Hinge 85 is a five post hingewith two (2) fins integrally formed with base 84 and three (3) finsintegrally formed on level 83. Pin 86 passes through holes (not shown)in each fin to maintain hinge 85 assembled.

[0040] Guide 50 can be placed at varying angles on measuring device 80depending on the exact angle of cut desired. In FIG. 13, level 83 ispivoted to form a 90° angle with base 84 and is secured within guide 50by rotating knurled nuts 56 as seen in FIGS. 12 and 15. As would beunderstood, level 83 could be positioned at a 45° angle to base 84 orfor another angle as desired with guide 50 tightened thereon to maintainthe desired angle during repeated markings as hereinafter explained.

[0041] The method of using guide 50 is seen in more detail in FIGS. 14and 15. Shown in FIG. 14, wooden piece or blank 60 consists of aconventional wooden “2×10” which is used to form a standard stairstringer 70 as shown in FIG. 16. In use, measuring device 80 is openedto a preset angle and guide 50 as shown in FIG. 13 is releasably affixedthereto. Next, measuring device 80 is placed against wooden blank 60with guide 50 contiguous along edge 61. With longitudinal member 52squarely against edge 61 as shown in FIG. 15 measuring device 80 is usedas a pattern for marking along the outside of level 83 and base 84 asshown in FIG. 14 creating a “v” shaped pattern 65. V-shaped pattern 65is repeated along wooden blank 60 by moving the combination of measuringdevice 80 and guide 50. These steps are repeated as necessary to formthe proper number of patterns 65 therein. Once v-shaped patterns 65 aremarked, saw 77 or another tool can be used to remove patterns 65 to formstair tread support 66 and riser support 67 as shown by stair stringer70 in FIG. 16.

[0042] With another “2×10” wooden blank 60 an identical stair stringerto that of stair stringer 70 can be formed in a fast, efficient andaccurate manner.

[0043] Once the desired number of stringers 70 have been formed knurlednuts 56 can be loosened releasing guide 50 from measuring device 80.Measuring device 80 can then be folded and locked in place whereuponguide 50 and measuring device 80 can be stored for future use.

[0044] The illustrations and examples provided herein are forexplanatory purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of theappended claims.

We claim:
 1. A guide for a measuring device comprising: a firstlongitudinal member, a second longitudinal member, a means to adjustablyconnect said first and said second longitudinal members; said adjustableconnecting means joined to said first and said second longitudinalmembers to maintain said longitudinal members in parallel alignment. 2.The guide of claim 1 further comprises a resilient member, saidresilient member positioned between said first and said secondlongitudinal members.
 3. The guide of claim 1 wherein said adjustableconnecting means comprises a threaded member.
 4. The guide of claim 1wherein said adjustable connecting means comprises a pair of threadedmembers.
 5. The guide of claim 4 further comprises a pair of springs,each of said springs positioned on different ones of said threadedmembers.
 6. In combination, a measuring device and a guide, said guideattached to said measuring device, said measuring device comprising: abase; a level, said level pivotally joined to said base, and aprotractor, said protractor mounted on said base; said guide comprising:a first and a second longitudinal member, a pair of adjustable members;said pair of adjustable members each attached to said first and saidsecond longitudinal members to maintain said guide on said measuringdevice.
 7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said pair of longitudinalmembers each comprises a resilient member.
 8. The combination of claim 6wherein said base is pivoted from said level at a desired angle and saidguide is attached to said base and said level.
 9. A method of patternmarking using a measuring device having a pivotable base and a guidehaving a pair of longitudinal members adjustably connected comprisingthe steps of: a) opening the measuring device to a desired angle; b)placing the guide over the opened measuring device; and c) tighteningthe guide thereon.
 10. The method of claim 9 further comprising the stepof placing the guide against the edge of a blank with the measuringdevice atop the blank.
 11. The method of claim 10 further comprising thestep of marking the blank along the outside of the measuring device. 12.The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of removing the guideand measuring device from the blank.
 13. The method of claim 12 furthercomprising the step of cutting the blank along the marking.
 14. Themethod of claim 13 further comprising the step of placing the guide andmeasuring device at another position along the blank.
 15. The method ofclaim 14 and repeating the steps of claim 11 through claim 14.